used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
ACQUAINTANCESnounUS /əˈkweɪntənsɪz/
plural of “acquaintance” — personal knowledge or information about someone or something
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
alertadjectiveUS /əˈlɜːrt/
engaged in or accustomed to close observation
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
(of actions or states) slightly short of or not quite accomplished; all but
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
prior to a specified or implied time
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
at the same time that; because; in the way that
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
attractiveadjectiveUS /əˈtræktɪv/
pleasing to the eye or mind especially through beauty or charm
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
barriernounUS /ˈbæriər/
a structure or object that impedes free movement
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
the event consisting of the start of something
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
behindprepositionUS /bɪˈhaɪnd/
at or toward the back of something
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
bewildermentnounUS /bɪˈwɪldərmənt/
confusion resulting from failure to understand
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before
From this reading "Perhaps not--but I shall."
challengeverbUS /ˈtʃæləndʒ/
take exception to
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
changeablenessnoun
the quality of being changeable; having a marked tendency to change
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
changingadjectiveUS /ˈtʃeɪndʒɪŋ/
marked by continuous change or effective action
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
having a low or inadequate temperature or feeling a sensation of coldness or having been made cold by e.g. ice or refrigeration
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
unvarying in nature
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
without variation or change, in every case
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
characterized by a firm and humorless belief in the validity of your opinions
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
encounteredverbUS /ɪnˈkaʊntərd/
past form of “encounter” — come together
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
enigmanounUS /ɪˈnɪɡmə/
something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
opinion or judgment
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
undergo an emotional sensation or be in a particular state of mind
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
characteristic of or befitting a friend
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
plural of “friend” — a person you know well and regard with affection and trust
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
lacking in or deprived of strength or power
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
hidingnounUS /ˈhaɪdɪŋ/
the activity of keeping something secret
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
inside something, or within a place, period, or state
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
in truth (often tends to intensify)
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
cause to continue in a certain state, position, or activity; e.g., “keep clean”
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
conformity or harmony
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
produced by a manufacturing process
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
how something is done or how it happens
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
inflected form of “meet” — come together
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
The element of a person that enables awareness and thought.
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
the one or ones belonging to the person speaking
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
a particular point in time
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
moodsnounUS /muːdz/
plural of “mood” — a characteristic (habitual or relatively temporary) state of feeling
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
belonging to the person speaking
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
immediately following in time or order
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
touching and supported by a surface
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
used to mean any person in general, including the speaker
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
outspokenadjectiveUS /ˈaʊtˈspoʊkən/
given to expressing yourself freely or insistently
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
beyond or deviating from the usual or expected
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
penetrateverbUS /ˈpenətreɪt/
pass into or through, often by overcoming resistance
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
by chance
From this reading "Perhaps not--but I shall."
with speed
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
being or occurring in fact or actuality; having verified existence; not illusory
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
be fully aware or cognizant of
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
reservenounUS /rɪˈzɜːrv/
formality and propriety of manner
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
past form of “seem” — give a certain impression or have a certain outward aspect
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
your consciousness of your own identity
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
used with I and we for the future, or to offer and suggest
From this reading "Perhaps not--but I shall."
a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
for that reason; with the result that
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
support consisting of a radial member of a wheel joining the hub to the rim
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
the territory occupied by one of the constituent administrative districts of a nation
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
communicated in words
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
precisely as stated
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/
the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned
From this reading ACQUAINTANCES, NOT FRIENDS The manner in which this was uttered made me feel that she was in earnest.
an adult female person (as opposed to a man)
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
the words that are spoken
From this reading As she spoke these words her eyes encountered mine, almost in challenge, which I met instantly.
but in spite of that
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
yieldingadjectiveUS /ˈjiːldɪŋ/
inclined to yield to argument or influence or control
From this reading Yet this very changeableness was attractive, keeping my mind constantly on the alert, and yielding her a peculiar charm.
(used of living things especially persons) in an early period of life or development or growth
From this reading Indeed I was already beginning to realize that this young woman was an enigma, her moods changing so rapidly as to keep me in a state of constant bewilderment--one moment frank, outspoken, friendly; the next hiding her real self behind a barrier of cold reserve which I seemed helpless to penetrate.
